Ayre Acoustics C-5xe User Manual
Ayre C-5xe
Owner’s Manual
Universal Stereo Player
Table of
Contents
Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Overview and Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Controls and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Navigation of Discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Optimization and Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Welcome to
Ayre
Please send in your warranty
registration card so we can
stay in contact with you.
Your Ayre C-5xe offers a significant advance in the
musical performance of high-fidelity equipment.
The warmth and immediacy of a live performance
are apparent from the first listening. The
combination of superb resolution and a natural,
relaxed quality will draw you into the music, time
and time again.
This level of performance has been implemented
using the highest level of workmanship and
materials. You can be assured that the Ayre C-5xe
will provide you a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
2
Overview and
Introduction
To provide the highest possible
level of audio performance,
there is no video circuitry in
the C-5xe.
For the foreseeable future CD
will continue to be the
dominant format, with a wide
variety of titles available in
all musical genres.
The Ayre C-5xe is a universal stereo (U2) player. It
plays all currently available audio disc formats,
including CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video
(soundtrack only), and MP3.
The C-5xe offers both stereo analog and PCM
digital outputs. Multi-channel discs may also be
played. In the case of multi-channel SACDs, the
C-5xe will automatically select the two-channel area
that is mandatory for SACD. In the case of
multi-channel tracks that may be present on
DVD-Audio or DVD-Video discs, the C-5xe will
automatically downmix to stereo.
Thanks to its advanced technological features, the
Ayre C-5xe will extract the full measure of
performance from all digital audio formats,
including CD, maximizing your musical enjoyment,
both now and into the future.
3
Connections and
Installation
The Ayre C-5xe universal stereo (U2) player is easy
to hook up and use. The following guidelines will
ensure that the installation goes smoothly.
Location
The infrared beam of the
remote control will also travel
through glass.
When you have a choice, a
balanced connection will offer
slightly higher sound quality
than an unbalanced
connection.
A good location for your U2 player is at an easily
accessible height in an open-backed cabinet or on a
shelf. The receiver for the infrared remote control is
mounted behind the display lens on the front panel.
A direct line of sight from the listening position
will ensure the maximum range. However, the
infrared beam will also reflect off of most wall
surfaces with a reduced range.
Analog Outputs
The Ayre C-5xe offers both balanced and unbalanced
outputs. Balanced connections are made via
three-pin XLR connectors, while unbalanced
connections are made via RCA connectors. It is not
normally recommended to use both sets of analog
outputs simultaneously.
4
Digital Output
An adapter is available from
Ayre should you need to
connect the digital output to a
device with an S/PDIF input
that uses an RCA connector.
The Ayre C-5xe features a balanced AES/EBU
digital audio output on the rear of the unit. This
output is used when connecting to a digital
recording unit or other device, such as an external
digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Additional
information regarding the digital output may be
found in the chapter “Optimization and
Customization”.
Control Port
The control port on the rear panel of the C-5xe
allows the unit to communicate with a system
controller such as a Crestron or AMX. Additional
information regarding the control port may be
found in the chapter “Optimization and
Customization”.
AC Power
Connect the Ayre C-5xe to an unswitched power
source. The best sound quality is normally achieved
5
when the player is plugged directly into the wall
outlet, without using any power strips or power line
conditioners.
Break-In
Playing the unit for 100 to
500 hours will ensure full
break-in.
Due to the manufacturing processes used for the
wires and capacitors, a break-in period is necessary
for the Ayre C-5xe to reach its full performance
potential.
6
Controls and
Operation
The Ayre C-5xe universal stereo (U2) player may be
controlled using either the front panel buttons or
the included remote control. Basic functions are
available at both locations, while additional
functions are available only at the remote control.
Remote Control
The supplied remote control handset has a housing
machined from solid aluminum and features lighted
keys for easy use in a dark environment. It has a
unique battery saver feature, whereby if a button is
pressed for longer than normal, the internal
microprocessor will revert the unit to “sleep” mode.
This protects the batteries if, for instance, the
remote control handset becomes wedged in the
furniture cushions.
The remote control handset uses 2 x AAA batteries,
which are pre-installed at the factory. When battery
replacement is required, remove the four rubber feet
on the back side by pulling them straight out. Then
the four retaining screws may be removed using the
supplied 3/32" allen key.
7
1 – 4x Lights when playing a track with 176.4 or 192 kHz sample
rate.
2 – 2x Lights when playing a track with 88.2 or 96 kHz sample rate.
3 – 1x Lights when playing a track with 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rate.
4 – SACD Lights when playing an SACD.
5 – DTS Lights when playing a DTS soundtrack.
6 – DOLBY DIGITAL Lights when playing a Dolby Digital soundtrack.
7 – PLAY Lights when a disc is playing.
8 – PAUSE Lights when a disc is paused.
9 – Character Display Displays disc information.
10 – DISPLAY OFF Lights when the display is turned off.
11 – REMAIN Indicates that the display is showing the time remaining.
12 – CHP Indicates that the display is showing a DVD-V chapter
number.
13 – TRK Indicates that the display is showing a CD, SACD, or DVD-A
track number.
14 – TITLE Indicates that the display is showing a DVD-V title number.
15 – GRP Indicates that the display is showing a DVD-A group number.
16 – V-PART Lights when playing a DVD with video content.
8
Basic Functions
The following basic functions are accessible via both
the front panel buttons and the remote control
handset.
Standby/Operate
The “Standby/Operate” button toggles the unit
between normal operation and standby mode. When
in standby mode a green status LED in the front
panel “Standby” button is illuminated. The internal
circuitry remains powered, ensuring optimal
performance with a minimum of warm-up time.
Open/Close
The “Open/Close” button opens and closes the disc
tray. An open tray may also be closed by pressing
gently on the front edge of the tray.
When the tray is closed, almost all DVD-Video
discs will automatically begin playing. This is
because the DVD format allows the disc to send
commands to the player.
9
Play
Pressing the “Play” button initiates playback of the
disc. If the drawer is open, pressing “Play” will also
close the drawer.
Pause
Pressing the “Pause” button will pause the disc
playback. Playback may be resumed either by
pressing the “Pause” button again or the “Play”
button.
Stop
Pressing the “Stop” button will stop disc playback.
However if you are playing a DVD-Video disc, the
display shows “RESUME” and the position is
memorized. Press “Play” to start from the
memorized position, or press “Stop” a second time
to clear the memorized position.
10
The resume position remains memorized as long
as the disc is in the player, even if you switch the
power off.
Previous
Pressing the “Previous” button will back up to the
start of the current track (CD, SACD, DVD-A) or
chapter (DVD-V). Additional presses will move to
previous tracks or chapters.
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